Research Question: How does discipline differ between private and public schools? Contributed by: Emma Kilbane
For my portion of the project, I thought it would be interesting to discuss how discipline varies in the private school system compared to the public education system. Discipline is a huge controversy among parents, educators, and schools officials. Many believe that it is difficult to find a true disciplinary balance in schools, claiming that there is either a major lack of discipline within a school system, or the rules my be too restrictive for the student. I wanted to emphasize the various approaches, both positive and negative, that private and public schools use to address discipline within the separate institutions. The articles I found, such as Thomas Billiteri's "Discipline in Schools," and Aaron H. Caplan's "The Human Rights of Students In Public Schools," really helped me establish a basic knowledge of these differences between private and public schools. Some of the articles also provided inside knowledge and opinions on different methods of discipline, allowing me to truly examine both the positive and negative aspects. It was interesting to see private schoolteacher, Andrew Weiner's thoughts on some private schools' approach to discipline in "How We Discipline Students Is Worse Than Their Behavior." The main difference I found from these articles can be summed up by the idea that private schools create individual contracts for students to follow, while in public schools, a student has human rights that cannot be violated. Private schools are able to create their own individual contracts that, upon signing voluntarily, a student must follow. Unlike public schools, private school officials have the latitude to basically run the school exactly how they would like it to be run, as long as the rules do not violate public policy. In public schools, a student has constitutional rights that cannot be violated, which sometimes complicates disciplinary policies and blurs an effective disciplinary method.
Article from a Scholarly Journal
Aaron H. Caplan discusses the human rights of public school students and certain restrictions that may apply in an public educational institution in his article "The Human Rights of Students in Public Schools." Caplan gives a brief overview of many different rights of students, but provides a more in depth analysis of a few basic rights of individuals, specifically the first (freedom of speech) and fourth (unreasonable search and seizures) amendments. He also includes how school discipline may sometimes interfere with these rights. The article contains various court cases, such as Turner v. Safley, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Doe v. Pulaski County Special School District, in order to support Caplan's points, and allowing the reader to be informed of concrete examples from history. The author does not state that the student should not be subject to some control in the classroom, in fact, he admits that it is quite necessary in most cases, in order to promote an orderly learning environment. The majority of this article is strictly informative - Caplan only inserts a few minor biases towards in the introduction and conclusion of the article. The article provides a brief analysis of some of the key rights to students in public schools, and would definitely be beneficial for all public school students to read.
This article provided me with an in-depth analysis of the human rights each student in public schools has. Unlike many of the articles I found related to a students rights - which more or less stated "a student has rights that the school must respect" - Caplan's "The Human Rights of Students in Public Schools" is a more thorough and specified explanation of these rights. I really enjoyed how he uses specific cases to illustrate his points; it was more interesting than strictly hearing the technicalities of the law. I can understand how sometimes a student's rights may be limited in the classroom; Caplan provides an example of how a teacher may have to impose some control over a student's conversation in algebra class, for example, in order to serve the class' purpose - talking about Shakespeare or a football game wouldn't contribute much to that class, so a student's right to the freedom of speech may need to be limited. Caplan's articulates these rights and policies very well, and the article really helped me understand the relationship between a student's human rights and school discipline more clearly.
Caplan, A. H. (2005). The Human rights of students in public schools. Human Rights: Journal of the Section of Individual Rights & Responsibilities, 32(4), Retrieved from Human Rights Journal Link
Summary Article from CQ Researcher
"Discipline In Schools" is an extensive report written by Thomas J. Billiteri, which focuses on disciplinary methods that effectively decrease classroom misconduct, while also discussing ineffective methods. The report discusses zero-tolerance policies and how this method, deemed ineffective, leads only to high-expulsion rates and does not truly cut to the core of the behavioral issues. He uses many different studies and statistics from various school districts, as well as the opinions from many educational experts to prove that zero-tolerance policies are sometimes acceptable when the safety of students is put at risk, but punishments for minor infractions, like talking in class or being disrespectful, are "highly subjective"(Billitteri, 2008). However, many of the studies presented within this article also show that a more effective way to deal with these serious threats is through a system of "graduated discipline" (Billitteri, 2008). In addition, many of the individuals whose thoughts are presented within this report claim that in order to promote a well-maintained, disciplined environment, educators must be in touch with the students' views and feelings. The article really stresses how important it is for teachers to form healthy, safe relationships with students, demonstrating that a sense of respect and belonging proves to be an effective method of decreasing classroom misconduct in many schools.
I personally believe that zero-tolerance policies in schools can sometimes get really out of hand. I have read many articles on the zero-tolerance policy many schools adhere to, and sometimes punishments are too severe. For example, I read about how a high school student, he was captain of the varsity swim team and an honor student, was expelled for having a butter knife in his lunch in order to spread peanut butter onto his crackers, or something ridiculous like that. Also, I feel as though there should be alternative techniques to deal with certain behavioral issues, such as disrespect. Surely a student should not simply be expelled when some normal teenage attitude is presented in class - the number of students suspended would be extraordinarily high (which is something Caplan states in his article). I feel like this report was very thorough and lengthy, and provided me with many different discipline strategies some schools may adopt. It was interesting to read about the many issues with the zero-tolerance policies, and how ineffective and harmful they can be in an educational environment. Prior to reading this article I had known what zero-tolerance meant, however, after dissecting the report, I am now more familiarized with all of the different aspects of the policy.
Billitteri, T. J. (2008). Discipline in schools. CQ Researcher, 18, 145-168, Retrieved from Discipline in Schools Report
Analysis Article from Reputable Newspaper
In her USA Today article "Strip Searches At School: Discipline Gone Too Far?" Joan Biskupic unbiasedly lays out the facts of a case between a young woman of Safford, Arizona and her middle school, over a strip search that occurred six years ago in her public school. Apparently, Savanna Redding, who was in eighth grade back in 2003, was ordered by the assistant principal to head to the nurse's office where she was then instructed to take off her clothes. The reason? Administrators believed Savanna may have given a fellow classmate prescription-strength ibuprofen. Savanna, who awkwardly undressed in front of the school nurse and a female administrative aide, was not only mortified, but she was innocent - there was no medication to be found. After this traumatic experience, Savanna did not return to Saffard Middle School, did not graduate from high school, and still suffers psychological problems. Savanna and her family decided to sue the school district, claiming that her constitutional rights were violated. Now, six years later, the case has finally made it to the Supreme Court. The majority of this article thoroughly explains the two sides to the case, Savanna's and the school district's, and provides readers with a substantial amount of information from both sides. Biskupic's article serves as an example of how sometimes school disciplinarians cross the boundary and take punishments too far.
In researching the topic of discipline in public and private schools, I found that parents and educators are struggling to find a harmonious balance of discipline in a student's life. There is either a major lack of discipline in schools, or the discipline is extremely intense, restrictive, and in some cases, violates the student's comfort and human rights. In my opinion, Savanna's case, documented in Joan Biskupic's "Strip Searches At School: Discipline Gone Too Far?" falls in the latter category. After reading this article and being presented with both sides of the story, I believe that Safford Middle School most definitely took its disciplinary actions too far in forcing Savanna Redding to strip down in order to search her for ibuprofen. First of all, they were only looking for ibuprofen, not some kind of a gun or hard drug. Secondly, I do not understand how they could just order this girl to strip down without questioning her prior; I do not feel as though a strip search could be the only solution. Clearly this course of action had a traumatic effect on the student - she did not even feel comfortable to return back to her middle school. She was in eighth grade, a mere thirteen years old, that is such a fragile age! I know that if I were asked to strip down in front of two school officials, female or not, I would definitely feel extremely awkward and violated, especially if I was innocent all along. I understand that it is difficult for schools to draw that line where discipline goes too far, but in my eyes, this is definitely an instance where disciplinarians crosses a boundary.
Biskupic, J. (2009, April 6). Strip searches at school: discipline gone too far?. USA Today, Retrieved from USA Today
Editorial or Opinion Essay
In this column, "How We Discipline Kids In School Is Worse Than Their Behavior," Andrew Reiner, a new teacher at a private middle school, discusses issues he finds with discipline policies in some educational sectors. He begins his piece by commenting on how discipline in the classroom is a huge controversy among parents, educators, and administrators, whether it be in private or public schools. As the article progresses, Reiner offers various examples of how private schools instill a sense of fear among students to force them to obey, stating "Fear seems to be the oil that lubricates the mechanics behind most school disciplinary measures-even down to the smallest misdemeanors"(Reiner, 1997). He also claims that sometimes the rules at private schools are too restrictive, and provides an example of a school that goes as far to expel students who drink alcohol on the weekends, off school grounds, referring to these methods of discipline as "Orwellian"(Reiner, 1997). Reiner also uses his own experiences in his classroom in order to support his claims, allowing the reader to fully understand his points. For example, Reiner speaks about the issue he has with the use of demerits in the private school he teaches at; he feels as though "...students can be taught the difference between right and wrong without having their self-esteem purposely wounded and, sometimes, paralyzed"(Reiner, 1997). Private schools claim to promote a student's ability to be self-disciplined and rely on one's own intelligence, and Reiner feels as though the private school systems can find better ways to discipline students that will "...prepare these future leaders"(Reiner, 1997). Reiner provides readers with an inside look at some of the issues he sees with the discipline in private schools.
I'm really glad I found this article! Reiner's "How We Discipline Kids In School Is Worse Than Their Behavior" provided me with inside information to some of the issues concerning discipline in the private educations system. The majority of the articles I found pertaining to private school discipline basically discuss how private schools usually have strict rules that must be followed, thus creating a very learning-focused atmosphere, and promotes self-discipline among students. Many of these articles express positive views toward private school discipline. Reiner's was the first article I found discussing the negative effects these techniques may have on students, so I am thankful for a different perspective. One aspect of this article that I find particularly disturbing is how some private schools are trying to monitor students behavior during their free time; I simply do not understand how the school has the authority to do that. Although private schools boast these great disciplinary standards, I believe if an institution goes too far to control a student, this could potentially lead to negative outcomes.
Reiner, A. (1997, March 5). How we Discipline kids in school is worse than their behavior. The Baltimore Chronicle and The Sentinel, Retrieved from The Baltimore Chronicle
Informative Journal Article
In her article "Public School Law: What Does It Mean In The Trenches," Lois F. Berlin, superintendent Falls Church City Public Schools, discusses the role of the law in the public school system. The public school system must abide and respect each student's constitutional rights, which definitely has an affect on the disciplinary actions a school may take. She discusses how decades ago teachers acted reasonably and this kept them out of court, but in current ages, lawsuits are much more commonplace. She touches upon the rights of students and teachers, and the responsibility she has as a superintendent when it comes to discipline. Berlin provides some personal insight to how she enforces disciplinary action in her schools, allowing the reader to see an inside example. Luckily, she states, the school board policies of her school are clear and concise, making it easier to enforce disciplinary action consistently and appropriately.
Although not all of this article is directly related to discipline in the public school system, it deals directly with a students rights in public schools, which is something that is essential to my portion of the presentation. I feel as though it is crucial to really understand the role rights play in a student's life, and through this research, I have furthered my knowledge. I find it interesting that Berlin includes how she, as superintendent of a small school district, deals with discipline, claiming that "Consistency is key" (Berlin, 2009). I believe this is really a valid statement; disciplinarians in public schools really need to be consistent in punishments so students are aware of consequences and treated equally. Personally, I believe that if schools punished students inconsistently from day to day, this could lead to unclear rules, angry students, and just a really confusing and chaotic environment. Also, I think it is essential that school's form clear school board policies and student codes of conduct (as Berlin's does) in order to maintain a more harmonious relationship between students and authoritarians of public schools.
Berlin, L.F. . (2009). Public school law: what does it mean in the trenches?. Phi Delta Kappan, 90(10), Retrieved from Phi Delta Kappan Website
Research Question: How does discipline differ between private and public schools?
Contributed by: Emma Kilbane
For my portion of the project, I thought it would be interesting to discuss how discipline varies in the private school system compared to the public education system. Discipline is a huge controversy among parents, educators, and schools officials. Many believe that it is difficult to find a true disciplinary balance in schools, claiming that there is either a major lack of discipline within a school system, or the rules my be too restrictive for the student. I wanted to emphasize the various approaches, both positive and negative, that private and public schools use to address discipline within the separate institutions. The articles I found, such as Thomas Billiteri's "Discipline in Schools," and Aaron H. Caplan's "The Human Rights of Students In Public Schools," really helped me establish a basic knowledge of these differences between private and public schools. Some of the articles also provided inside knowledge and opinions on different methods of discipline, allowing me to truly examine both the positive and negative aspects. It was interesting to see private schoolteacher, Andrew Weiner's thoughts on some private schools' approach to discipline in "How We Discipline Students Is Worse Than Their Behavior." The main difference I found from these articles can be summed up by the idea that private schools create individual contracts for students to follow, while in public schools, a student has human rights that cannot be violated. Private schools are able to create their own individual contracts that, upon signing voluntarily, a student must follow. Unlike public schools, private school officials have the latitude to basically run the school exactly how they would like it to be run, as long as the rules do not violate public policy. In public schools, a student has constitutional rights that cannot be violated, which sometimes complicates disciplinary policies and blurs an effective disciplinary method.
Article from a Scholarly Journal
Aaron H. Caplan discusses the human rights of public school students and certain restrictions that may apply in an public educational institution in his article "The Human Rights of Students in Public Schools." Caplan gives a brief overview of many different rights of students, but provides a more in depth analysis of a few basic rights of individuals, specifically the first (freedom of speech) and fourth (unreasonable search and seizures) amendments. He also includes how school discipline may sometimes interfere with these rights. The article contains various court cases, such as Turner v. Safley, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Doe v. Pulaski County Special School District, in order to support Caplan's points, and allowing the reader to be informed of concrete examples from history. The author does not state that the student should not be subject to some control in the classroom, in fact, he admits that it is quite necessary in most cases, in order to promote an orderly learning environment. The majority of this article is strictly informative - Caplan only inserts a few minor biases towards in the introduction and conclusion of the article. The article provides a brief analysis of some of the key rights to students in public schools, and would definitely be beneficial for all public school students to read.
This article provided me with an in-depth analysis of the human rights each student in public schools has. Unlike many of the articles I found related to a students rights - which more or less stated "a student has rights that the school must respect" - Caplan's "The Human Rights of Students in Public Schools" is a more thorough and specified explanation of these rights. I really enjoyed how he uses specific cases to illustrate his points; it was more interesting than strictly hearing the technicalities of the law. I can understand how sometimes a student's rights may be limited in the classroom; Caplan provides an example of how a teacher may have to impose some control over a student's conversation in algebra class, for example, in order to serve the class' purpose - talking about Shakespeare or a football game wouldn't contribute much to that class, so a student's right to the freedom of speech may need to be limited. Caplan's articulates these rights and policies very well, and the article really helped me understand the relationship between a student's human rights and school discipline more clearly.
Caplan, A. H. (2005). The Human rights of students in public schools. Human Rights: Journal of the Section of Individual Rights & Responsibilities, 32(4), Retrieved from Human Rights Journal Link
Summary Article from CQ Researcher
"Discipline In Schools" is an extensive report written by Thomas J. Billiteri, which focuses on disciplinary methods that effectively decrease classroom misconduct, while also discussing ineffective methods. The report discusses zero-tolerance policies and how this method, deemed ineffective, leads only to high-expulsion rates and does not truly cut to the core of the behavioral issues. He uses many different studies and statistics from various school districts, as well as the opinions from many educational experts to prove that zero-tolerance policies are sometimes acceptable when the safety of students is put at risk, but punishments for minor infractions, like talking in class or being disrespectful, are "highly subjective"(Billitteri, 2008). However, many of the studies presented within this article also show that a more effective way to deal with these serious threats is through a system of "graduated discipline" (Billitteri, 2008). In addition, many of the individuals whose thoughts are presented within this report claim that in order to promote a well-maintained, disciplined environment, educators must be in touch with the students' views and feelings. The article really stresses how important it is for teachers to form healthy, safe relationships with students, demonstrating that a sense of respect and belonging proves to be an effective method of decreasing classroom misconduct in many schools.
I personally believe that zero-tolerance policies in schools can sometimes get really out of hand. I have read many articles on the zero-tolerance policy many schools adhere to, and sometimes punishments are too severe. For example, I read about how a high school student, he was captain of the varsity swim team and an honor student, was expelled for having a butter knife in his lunch in order to spread peanut butter onto his crackers, or something ridiculous like that. Also, I feel as though there should be alternative techniques to deal with certain behavioral issues, such as disrespect. Surely a student should not simply be expelled when some normal teenage attitude is presented in class - the number of students suspended would be extraordinarily high (which is something Caplan states in his article). I feel like this report was very thorough and lengthy, and provided me with many different discipline strategies some schools may adopt. It was interesting to read about the many issues with the zero-tolerance policies, and how ineffective and harmful they can be in an educational environment. Prior to reading this article I had known what zero-tolerance meant, however, after dissecting the report, I am now more familiarized with all of the different aspects of the policy.
Billitteri, T. J. (2008). Discipline in schools. CQ Researcher, 18, 145-168, Retrieved from Discipline in Schools Report
Analysis Article from Reputable Newspaper
In her USA Today article "Strip Searches At School: Discipline Gone Too Far?" Joan Biskupic unbiasedly lays out the facts of a case between a young woman of Safford, Arizona and her middle school, over a strip search that occurred six years ago in her public school. Apparently, Savanna Redding, who was in eighth grade back in 2003, was ordered by the assistant principal to head to the nurse's office where she was then instructed to take off her clothes. The reason? Administrators believed Savanna may have given a fellow classmate prescription-strength ibuprofen. Savanna, who awkwardly undressed in front of the school nurse and a female administrative aide, was not only mortified, but she was innocent - there was no medication to be found. After this traumatic experience, Savanna did not return to Saffard Middle School, did not graduate from high school, and still suffers psychological problems. Savanna and her family decided to sue the school district, claiming that her constitutional rights were violated. Now, six years later, the case has finally made it to the Supreme Court. The majority of this article thoroughly explains the two sides to the case, Savanna's and the school district's, and provides readers with a substantial amount of information from both sides. Biskupic's article serves as an example of how sometimes school disciplinarians cross the boundary and take punishments too far.
In researching the topic of discipline in public and private schools, I found that parents and educators are struggling to find a harmonious balance of discipline in a student's life. There is either a major lack of discipline in schools, or the discipline is extremely intense, restrictive, and in some cases, violates the student's comfort and human rights. In my opinion, Savanna's case, documented in Joan Biskupic's "Strip Searches At School: Discipline Gone Too Far?" falls in the latter category. After reading this article and being presented with both sides of the story, I believe that Safford Middle School most definitely took its disciplinary actions too far in forcing Savanna Redding to strip down in order to search her for ibuprofen. First of all, they were only looking for ibuprofen, not some kind of a gun or hard drug. Secondly, I do not understand how they could just order this girl to strip down without questioning her prior; I do not feel as though a strip search could be the only solution. Clearly this course of action had a traumatic effect on the student - she did not even feel comfortable to return back to her middle school. She was in eighth grade, a mere thirteen years old, that is such a fragile age! I know that if I were asked to strip down in front of two school officials, female or not, I would definitely feel extremely awkward and violated, especially if I was innocent all along. I understand that it is difficult for schools to draw that line where discipline goes too far, but in my eyes, this is definitely an instance where disciplinarians crosses a boundary.
Biskupic, J. (2009, April 6). Strip searches at school: discipline gone too far?. USA Today, Retrieved from USA Today
Editorial or Opinion Essay
In this column, "How We Discipline Kids In School Is Worse Than Their Behavior," Andrew Reiner, a new teacher at a private middle school, discusses issues he finds with discipline policies in some educational sectors. He begins his piece by commenting on how discipline in the classroom is a huge controversy among parents, educators, and administrators, whether it be in private or public schools. As the article progresses, Reiner offers various examples of how private schools instill a sense of fear among students to force them to obey, stating "Fear seems to be the oil that lubricates the mechanics behind most school disciplinary measures-even down to the smallest misdemeanors"(Reiner, 1997). He also claims that sometimes the rules at private schools are too restrictive, and provides an example of a school that goes as far to expel students who drink alcohol on the weekends, off school grounds, referring to these methods of discipline as "Orwellian"(Reiner, 1997). Reiner also uses his own experiences in his classroom in order to support his claims, allowing the reader to fully understand his points. For example, Reiner speaks about the issue he has with the use of demerits in the private school he teaches at; he feels as though "...students can be taught the difference between right and wrong without having their self-esteem purposely wounded and, sometimes, paralyzed"(Reiner, 1997). Private schools claim to promote a student's ability to be self-disciplined and rely on one's own intelligence, and Reiner feels as though the private school systems can find better ways to discipline students that will "...prepare these future leaders"(Reiner, 1997). Reiner provides readers with an inside look at some of the issues he sees with the discipline in private schools.
I'm really glad I found this article! Reiner's "How We Discipline Kids In School Is Worse Than Their Behavior" provided me with inside information to some of the issues concerning discipline in the private educations system. The majority of the articles I found pertaining to private school discipline basically discuss how private schools usually have strict rules that must be followed, thus creating a very learning-focused atmosphere, and promotes self-discipline among students. Many of these articles express positive views toward private school discipline. Reiner's was the first article I found discussing the negative effects these techniques may have on students, so I am thankful for a different perspective. One aspect of this article that I find particularly disturbing is how some private schools are trying to monitor students behavior during their free time; I simply do not understand how the school has the authority to do that. Although private schools boast these great disciplinary standards, I believe if an institution goes too far to control a student, this could potentially lead to negative outcomes.
Reiner, A. (1997, March 5). How we Discipline kids in school is worse than their behavior. The Baltimore Chronicle and The Sentinel, Retrieved from The Baltimore Chronicle
Informative Journal Article
In her article "Public School Law: What Does It Mean In The Trenches," Lois F. Berlin, superintendent Falls Church City Public Schools, discusses the role of the law in the public school system. The public school system must abide and respect each student's constitutional rights, which definitely has an affect on the disciplinary actions a school may take. She discusses how decades ago teachers acted reasonably and this kept them out of court, but in current ages, lawsuits are much more commonplace. She touches upon the rights of students and teachers, and the responsibility she has as a superintendent when it comes to discipline. Berlin provides some personal insight to how she enforces disciplinary action in her schools, allowing the reader to see an inside example. Luckily, she states, the school board policies of her school are clear and concise, making it easier to enforce disciplinary action consistently and appropriately.
Although not all of this article is directly related to discipline in the public school system, it deals directly with a students rights in public schools, which is something that is essential to my portion of the presentation. I feel as though it is crucial to really understand the role rights play in a student's life, and through this research, I have furthered my knowledge. I find it interesting that Berlin includes how she, as superintendent of a small school district, deals with discipline, claiming that "Consistency is key" (Berlin, 2009). I believe this is really a valid statement; disciplinarians in public schools really need to be consistent in punishments so students are aware of consequences and treated equally. Personally, I believe that if schools punished students inconsistently from day to day, this could lead to unclear rules, angry students, and just a really confusing and chaotic environment. Also, I think it is essential that school's form clear school board policies and student codes of conduct (as Berlin's does) in order to maintain a more harmonious relationship between students and authoritarians of public schools.
Berlin, L.F. . (2009). Public school law: what does it mean in the trenches?. Phi Delta Kappan, 90(10), Retrieved from Phi Delta Kappan Website